The Providence Journal, And Town And Country Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA, January 24.

Two circumstances have recently taken place at Washington, which have excited considerable interest, surprise and alarm. We allude to the burning of the War Office and the Treasury. That these occurrences should take place at this particular time, is not a matter of astonishment to those who take a view of the late and present state of our political affairs. It is more to be wondered at that the Secretary of State's Office has not yet been consumed. It will be remembered that against the officers in these three departments, and particularly of the Treasury, charges of the most serious kind have been urged by the Jacobins; charges which, although totally groundless, have been so frequently made, and so boldly and with so much impunity asserted, for party purposes, as to have contributed more to procure the present state of things, than all and every other circumstance combined.

The faction which has gained an ascendancy, know that owing to the deception practiced on the people relative to the officers in these departments, they have obtained a preponderance in the councils of our country, which, had truth prevailed, they never could have aspired to. Knowing these things, and fearing exposure at some future day, they have taken an effectual means to consign to oblivion the records of truth, which could be urged against them and produce conviction to the people of their infamy.

There is a strong combination of circumstances to induce us to believe, nay we can almost assert, that these offices have been purposely burned by incendiaries employed by the Jacobins, that the stigma may be thrown on the Federalists. We shall now state one or two facts, leaving the public to judge, and sincerely hope that the whole truth respecting this mysterious business may soon come to light.

The Editor of the Aurora says, the burning of the War Office took place exactly as he predicted!--who is there who could not predict when they mean to act?

An investigation of Mr. Wolcott's accounts, solicited by himself, was refused by the Jacobins.

The Aurora says, handkerchieves full of papers were carried out of the Treasury "by persons well known"--and no doubt the preservation is much regretted by the Aurora.

There is yet one circumstance related to us this morning, which must carry conviction home to the breast of every one, that there is a plot among the Jacobins for the destruction of the offices of government with their papers; the fire is said to have taken place on Tuesday evening last, and the news arrived in this city yesterday, and yet, on Thursday afternoon, a Democrat in the city told a gentleman from Jersey that the Treasury was burned! What says the reader?

We understand, as Jasper says, that some of the Jacobins in the Eastern States, out of pure joy, demolished the bells of their meeting-houses, upon receiving information that Jefferson is one of the two highest candidates for the Presidency. Should he be finally elected, they will probably think it not an inappropriate compliment to celebrate the glorious event by destroying the meeting-houses themselves. This would very aptly exemplify "the Triumph of Democratical principles."